Control of motor operated devices



May 1942. R. w. SMlTH common 0F MOTOR OPERATED DEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1940 Fig. L

I nvehtor: Robert \A/ Smi th,

IS Attorney y 5, 1942- R. w. SMITH 2,282,007

CONTROL OF MOTOR .bPERATED DEVICES Filed June 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Inventor! Robert WS ich,

His Attorney Patented May 5, 1942 I mzo PAENT OFFICE 2382,00? CONTBGL MOTfiR OPERATED DEVICES Robert W. Smith, Folsom, Pa, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application .l'une 25, 1940, Serial No. 3%,281

. 3 Claims. My invention relates to improvements in the control 01 motor operated devices and more particularly to the control oi electric motor operated the device and subsequent similar and necessary I repeated operations thereof whereby to avoid unnecessary motor energizatlons and damage to the device or apparatus involved. This and other objecm of my invention will appear in moredetail hereinafter.

In so-called low voltage alternating current network systems, it is customary to use a network protector which includes a circuit breaker and protective relay means for eflecting the closing 01 the circuit breaker only when a predetermined relation exists between the magnitude and phase angle of the voltage across the circuit breaker relatively to the voltage or the network. Usually the circuit breaker is actuated to the closing position by a motor operated mechanism which for obvious reasons is preferably or a tripfree type. The energization of the motor is initiated by the series related contacts of the protective relays and an auxiliary switch which closes when the circuit breaker opens and opens when the circuit breaker closes. In order to avoid uncer ainties in. the maintenance of the initiating circuit because of relay contact flutter and the dillculty of adjusting the circuit breaker auxiliary switch to conform to a definite position of the circuit breaker, it has been the practice to use a motor starting relay provided with a mechanical seal-in featureto insure a completion of the closing operation of the circuit breaker before deenergizing the motor. The mechanical seal-in feature was under the control of the motor mechanism. With such mechanisms dimculties occur due to coasting oi the motor after deenergization at the end oi the closing operation. Various arrangements have been proposed to eliminate these diiilculties including the use of a brake for stopping the motor and its mechanically connected parts. Experience has shown,

however, that this braking action cannot be definitely relied upon to stop the moving parts always in a definite position after the completion oi the single closing operation. In consequence of' this, it has happened that the motor could be rangements no mechanical seal-in would occur under certain conditions. In the first case the repeatedly energized and also that in some arf motor might continue to run on indefinitely. In the second case repeated partial. closures of the circuit breaker would occur with much damage to the arcing contacts in particular. These undesirable conditions arose in consequence of the failure of the mechanical seal-in device to funce tion as intended by reason of the over-running oi the motor.

In accordance with my invention, I provide an improved control arrangement such that coasting or over-running oi the motor cannot so interiere' with the sealing-in device as to prevent the completion of a single operation or to interiere with successive completed operations regardless 0! coasting of the motor mechanism. Further, in accordance with my invention, I provide a plurality of sealing-in contacts connected in parallel in the motor circuit such that, regardless oi the coasting oi the motor mechanism, at least one and possibly more 01' these contacts can be closed to effect the energization oi the motor circuitin response to the initiating operation of the protective relays and the auxiliary switch associated with the circuit breaker.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying two sheets of drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 illustrates partly in diagram and partly in perspective an embodimentoi my invention for the control of a circuit breaker, and Fig. 2 similarly illustrates a modification or the embodiment "of my invention shown in Fla. 1.

For the purpose oi illustrating my invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 an operating mechanism 5 for effecting. a predetermined travel of the movable element of an electric circuit breaker 8. As shown, the operating mechanismcomprises, in general, suitable actuating means/such as an electric motor I and collapsible" thrust transmitting means 8 which may be operatively related to the .motor. The thrust, transmittins structure is operatively connected to the movable element; 8 01' the circuit breaker. The particular structure so iar described and, as illustrated, is disclosed in detail in United States Letters Patent 2,034,145 issued March 1'], 1936 to the assignee oi this invention. While I have chosen to illustrate a particular structure known to the art, it is to be u'nderstood that such structure is chosen merely tor-the purposeoi' illustrating my invention the application of which is not limited to such truc ure.

The circuit breaker 6 comprisesa plurality of pairs of cooperating main, movable and stationary contacts |0.and II respectively, one pair for each phase of the circuit to be controlled. The

contacts III are suitably mounted on the movable element 9. Each pole of the circuit breaker may also include a pair. of relatively movable cooperating transfer or burning" contacts |l|' and II arrangedin parallel with the main contacts I. and H. ,Besides these main-and transfer con- .tacts, suitable arcing contacts I and and are extinguishing means not shown may be provided as will be abvious to those skilled in the art. As shown, the power circuit through the circuitbreaker comprises a terminal member l2 contacts occurs as the movable member 2 is turned in the direction of the arrow ll. v :fflhe operative relation between the motor 1 and the thrust transmitting structure I is effected through a shaft ll connected to the motor I through a suitable braking mechanism which is housed in a casing l2, suitable speed reducing gearing l9 and a shaft'2ll on which is mounted an actuating cam 2| coacting-withthethrust transmitting structure 2. Energization of the motor I effects rotation of the actuating cam 2| and a circuit closing operation of the circuit breaker 6 through engagement of the actuating cam 2| with a roller 22 on the thrust transmitting mechanism 8. Inasmuch disclosed in- United States Letters Patent 2,034,- 145, supra, it is unnecessary to describe the structure further than to state that its function is to as the braking mechanism enclosed in the housing I! is fully ment of the latch 2'|.' A

prevent overrunning or overtravel of the actuating cam except within relatively narrow limits so that the operating mechanism may be readily tripped, reset and reclosed, as necessary, without interference from the actuating cam. In general, the braking mechanism comprises a resilient connection between the motor shaft and the shaft l'l such that the braking effect is eliminated when the motor torque exceeds the torque of the resilient means employed and restored when it falls below this torque.

The thrust transmitting structure 2 is of the so-called trip-free type and is adapted to be reset and latched independently of. the cam 2|. As shown, the thrust transmitting structure comprises toggle members 22 and 24 which are pivotally interconnected at 25. The toggle member 22 is mounted on a fixed pivot 26 and carries at one end a roller 21 which coacts with latching andtripping means hereinafter described. As shown, the toggle member 24 is a triangularly shaped link carrying the roller 22 and a roller 22. These rollers are pivotally mounted at 22 and 20 on opposite sides of the pivotal support 25. The

roller 22 is arranged to be in the path of the actuating cam 2| when the circuit breaker is to be closed, and the roller 22 is arranged to engage an inclined actuating face 2| of a pivotally supported member 22 which carries the movable circuit breaker element 9. The supporting member 22, which is pivotally mounted on the shaft I5, is biased to its open circuit position both by gravity and a suitable resilient means, not shown.

The circuit breaker mechanism is illustrated in the circuit closing position with the toggle 22,

24 overset so as to hold the element 9 in this position wherein'the toggleis held by a pivoted latchmember 22 which engages the roller 21. The latch 22 is provided with an extension 24 so as properly to position the latch with respect to the roller 21. When latched, the toggle is maintained in an overset thrust transmitting position by the fact thatthe reacting force of the circuit breaker is along the line of centers of the pins 25- and 22 and that this line is' slightly oflset with respect to the fixed pivot 26. Accordingly, there is a clockwise moment acting on link 22, which is restrained by the latch 22, so as rigidly to position the pivot 25. The inclined face 2| engaged by the roller" 28 is normal to the plane. of the axes of the pivots 25 and 20 so that the" spring, or the like, for causing positive and quick release of the main latch 22. For this purpose 'a trip coil 26 is arranged to coact with a pivoted latch 21 which is biased by a spring 25 so as normally to engage a roller 29 carried by a trigger member 40. This trigger member, which is copivotally mounted at 4| with the latch '28, is biased'by'a spring 42 for clockwise rotation. The

applied force of the spring 42 is slightly off center with respect to the pivot 4| .so that the spring force is available immediately to rotate the trigger member 40 clockwiseupon releasing movetrigger member 40 is so arranged that, upon clockwise movement of this member the pin The resetting means for the latch and trigger arrangement described is such that immediately, upon collapse of the main toggle circuit opening movementof the trigger 40 is reset and the latch 22 positioned so that it is in readiness immediately to latch the main toggle when the roller 21 returns to its initial position. The trigger resetting means comprises a member 44 carried by the element 9' and arranged to engage the trigger 40 and rotate the same counter-clockwise. The return of the trigger 40 to its initial position causes it to be engaged by the latch 21. The resetting operation of the circuit breaker element ,9 also recharges the spring 42 by compressing the same against a. The positioning of the fixed stop, not shown. latch 22 for relatching the roller 21 of the main toggle is accomplished by means of a resilient connection, such as a leaf spring 45, secured at closed. As shown, this switching means com; prises relatively movable cooperating'contacts 46 and 41. For effecting movement of the contact 42 it maybe mounted on ash'aft 42 which is con nected to the movable member! by suitable pin 43 carried by the 22, 24 andthe element 9, the

ut of means, such as a crank N and a link I, so as to partake of the movement of this member.

In accordance with my invention, 1 provide two independently operable switching means each of which is arranged independently to control the energization of the motor '8. As shown in Fig. 1, these switches are represented by a movable bridging contact II and cooperating stationary contacts I52, and a movable bridging contact 53 and cooperating stationary contacts 54. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, these switches are arranged in parallel branches of the energizing circuit of the motor 1 which is arranged to be energized from busses II and 58. The energizing circuit of the motor 1, starting with the bus'ii, includes a conductor 51, the motor I, a conductor 58, the switches Ii, 83 and the parallel conductors l9 and Il to the bus 56. Further; in accordance with my invention, each of the parallel connected control switches 56, 53 preferably is of the seal-in type such that it will be retained in both the circuit opening and circuit closing positions. As shown in Fig. 1, this may be accomplished by suitable resilient means such as overcenter leaf springs M.

Further, in accordance with my inventiom-in order to effect. a sequential operation of the switches ii, 53 after movement of the movable member 8 to the circuit closing position of the circuit breaker, I provide means ior sequentially opening the switches lil, I8 which operates in dependence on the angular position of the operating shaft 20 or, more properly speaking, the operating cam 2|. As shown in Fig. 1, this means is a cam-actuated mechanism comprising a switch operating member 82 mounted on the shaft 20 and a rocking lever 83, which is pivotally supported at N and which may be biased to'a neutral position by suitable means, such as a spring 85. As shown, the rocking lever comprises three arms 88, 81 and it. Two of these arms 66 and 61 are arranged, upon counter-clockwise and clockwise movements of the member 63, respectively to engage push rods 09 and 10 whereby to eflect circuit opening operation of the switches 51 and W, respectively. In order to effect the desired sequential operation of these switches. the operating member "is provided ,with suitable cam means such as. a cam lever H pivoted at 12 on the member 81 for a limited clockwise movement about pivots under the bias ofsuitable means such asLa relatively still spring 13. The purpose oi this spring to turn this lever clockwise and open the switch I3 to the position shown in Fig. 1. As the rotation of the shaft 2| continues, the cam lever H engages the arm 88 of the rocking lever 63 to rotate the rocking lever 83 counter-clockwise whereby to actuate the push rod 69 and open the switch 5|.

With both of the switches SI and 53 opened and held in this position by the overcenter action of the springs 6|, further energization of the motor is impossible until these switches are restored to the closed position. Since the coasting or overrunning oi the motor, depending on the stopping position oi the operating shaft 20, may leave the cam lever H in engagement with one or the other of the arms 68 or 88, I provide means for insuring the switch closing action of at least one of the switches 5i and 53, or both, in the event that the cam lever H is clear of both arms 68 and 68 of the rocking lever 63. As shown in Fig. 1, this means is of the electromagnetic type and comprises suitable armature means arranged to be actuated upon energize. tion of suitable winding means such as coils I5 and "a, respectively operative to effect the closing action of the switches Iii and 83. For controlling the energization of these cells it! and 150 they are preferably connected in parallel in a control circuit which comprises the con cluster 80 and a conductor 80' and which is energized from the buses BI, 56 through a circuit including the circuit breaker auxiliary switch 48, 41 and the contacts I! and 11 of the power directional and phasing relays, indicated schematically by It and 1!, usually associated with the closing control 0! low voltage alternating current network protectors. As-is well known to the art, the power directional means operates to close its contacts when it is possible for power to now from the feeder to the network. The phasing relay operates to close its contacts only when a predetermined relation exists between the magnitude and phase angle of the voltage is to avoid damage to the push rods 89 and I0 if their travel is so limited that mechanical injury might result in case the cam lever It could not move counter-clockwise around its pivot 12. As shown, a bias tending toturn the rocking lever 5;.in a counter-clockwise direction isimparted to the spring i! as the cam lever ll turns the rocking lever 63 clockwise to open the switch It Ifhe energy thus stored in the spring 65. is used to bring the rocking lever 63 back to 'y a neutral position as the cam lever H is turned engagement with the arm 88 and 86. In thisneutral position of therocking lever 83 both of the switches II and It may close when their windings I6 and 15a are energized it the cam lever H is not in engagement with one or the other oi. the arms 8 and BI.

The arrangement. of the cam lever II relatively to the arms N and 88 oi the rocking lever 63 is such that, as the shaft ll is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow I4, the cam lever II first engages the arm I o! the rocking lever .3

across the circuit breaker relatively to the voltage of the network.

Assuming the parts positioned as shown in Fig.

1, it will be obvious that the motor 1 has been energized to rotate the cam 2! in the direction of the arrow i4 and to effect thereby a closing operation of the circuit breaker 8. Also the cam shai't II has been rotated sumciently for the rocking lever 68 to have opened the switch 53 but not the switch Bl. Accordingly, the circuit of the motor is. still completed through the switch 5!.

and the cam shaft 20 continues to rotate until the cam lever ll engages the arm 88 of the rocking lever whereby to effect the opening of the switch Bl. Thus, after the opening of both of the switches 53 and 6| in succession, the circuit of the motor I is deenergizedi However, the

motor tends to coast under the braking action to which it is subjected andfidebending upon the effectiveness of such braking action, it is possible for the cam shait 2| to'come to rest with the cam lever H in the position shown in Fig. 1 where it is operative to prevent a closing of the switch I! even though the winding 15a, which controls the closing operation 'oi this switch, is energized. It is also possible for the cam shaft to come to rest with the cam lever II holding the switch 5| open so that this switch cannot be closed by energizing its winding 1!. However, no matter what the position or the cam shaft 20 when the motor stops, no position oi the cam lever 11 can -ciated cams 80 and 8|.

prevent the closing of at least one of the switches 58 or M.

Whenever the trip coil 38 of the circuit breaker 6 is energized to eflect a release of the trigger l and thereby a spring tripping action of the latch 38 whereby to cause a collapsing of the toggle 28,

24 and the opening of the circuit breaker 8, the auxiliary switch 46, 4'! will be closed. The energization of the tripcoil 36 may be effected by the closing of the tripping contacts of a power directional relay which responds to cause the opening of the circuit breaker on the occurrence of a fault on a feeder supplying the network as is well,

known to the art.

With the circuit breaker open and the auxiliary switch It, 4! closed, then, whenever the relays of one or neither. Upon the closing operation of one or both of these switches, the over-center spring 6| maintains the closed switch in the closed position. The closing of at least oneof I8 held in the circuit opening position by an over-center spring, as illustrated in Fig. 1, latching means are provided for'this purpose. As shown, this latching means comprises latching members 88' and 88 pivoted as at 88 and suitably biased by a spring 80 for movement into the latching position which is shown for the switch 53' in Fig. 2. While it is not essential to my invention, the latching means shown in Fig, 2 is so arranged that the tail ll of one of the latches 88 of the switch 53', which is the first to be opened by rotation of the cam shaft 20, underlies the tall 82 of the latch 88 of the other switch 5| since this enables a somewhat more compact and simple construction of the seal-in device embodying the parts justdescribed.

the switches 5|, I3 effects the energization of the motor I and thereby the rotation ofthe cam II which, as it engages the roller 22, of the circuit breaker mechanism 8, effects the closing operation of this mechanism which, as will be obvious from the description heretofore given, resets itself during the opening movement of the circuit breaker.

It will be noted that the displacement of the ends of the rocking lever arms 88 and 88 is such that, even though the motor were started by the closing of the switch 5| with the cam lever H in the position shown so that the switch cannot close upon energization of its windingv'llia, the cam shaft 28, as it rotates carrying the cam lever II will however, open the switch II as the cam lever engages the arm 88. However, since the winding 15a of the switch 58 is energized,

this switch will be closed immediately that the cam lever leaves the arm 88 which occurs before this lever engages the arm 86. In this way the motor circuit, once energized, is continuously energized until the circuit breaker is closed. Thus, regardless of the rest position of the cam shaft 20, there is, in accordance with my invention, always at least one switch available to effect and maintain the energization of the motor circuit after the opening of the circuit breaker and until the closing thereof whenever the protective ,relays function in accordance with their well known operation.

In the modification of my invention shown in Fig. 2, I have illustrated two switches II and II which are independently and separately operative in a predetermined sequence upon rotation of the cam shaft 20 by their respectively asso- As shown, each of these switches comprises a movable member 82 pivoted as at 88 and in the form of a bell crank, which is inter-connected to an operating crank 84, pivoted as at 88. The operating crank is provided with acam engaging roller 86 positioned in the path of movement of the respectively associated operating cam. Suitable biasing means, such as a spring 81, is provided to insure the desired contact pressure in switches 8| and 58'. Also, as

shown, instead of having the switches SI and latches may be given a fairly sharp blow in sequence without putting a double tripping load on the plunger of the tripping magnet. In the arrangement shown, as the cam shaft 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow H, the switch 58 is first opened and thelatch 88 associated with this switch is biased by its spring into the latching position illustrated. At this time the tail 8| of the latch 88 moves downwardout of the way of the tall 82 of the latch 88' so that, when the switch II is subsequently opened, the latch 88' may rotate into the latching position under the bias oi its spring 90. With the arrangement shown, it is preferable that the first switch 58' to be moved to the open position be the one the. tail of whose latch underlies the tail of the latch of the other switch. If the ends of the latch tails do not overlap but are merely close enough together to be struck simultaneously by the armature when the latches are in the latching position it is immaterial which switch is closed first.

In this embodiment of my invention it will be obvious that, asthe cams 8| and 88 rotate one in advance of the other, the switches 58' and 5| will be opened in sequence but, regardless of where the cam shaft 20 stops, at least one of these. switches cannot be restrained from closing themotor circuit as both latches will be moved from the restraining positionwhen the circuit of the latch-releasing winding 83 is completed through the circuit breaker auxiliary switch contacts l8, l1 and the contacts l6, ll of the network protective relays.

While I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail, I do not desiregto be limited to the exact arrangements shown, but seek to cover in the appended claims all those modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In combination, a device to be operated to two positions, means for actuating said device from one of said positions to the other comprising an electric motor, and means for controlling the energization of said motor comprising two switches arranged to be sequentially operated the circuit closing position when said device moves to said one position independentlyof the stopping position of said motor.

2. In combination, a device to be operated to two positions, means for actuating said device from one of said positions to the other comprising an electric motor, and means for controlling the energization of said motor comprising two switches connected in parallel, means controlled by said motor for opening said switches sequentially after actuation of said device to said other position to effect deenergization of said motor. means for actuating said device from said other position to said one position,' and means for re turning said switches to the circuit closing position when said device moves to said one position.

3. In combination, a device to be operated com-- 'prisinga member movable to two positions, and

means for actuating said member from one of said positions to the other comprising an electric motor, an energizing circuit for said motor comprising two parallel branches, circuit controlling means in each of said branches, means controlled by said motor for opening said circuit controlling means sequentially after movement of said movable member to said other position to effect deenergization of said motor, means for effecting movement of said movable'member from said other position to said one position, electromagnetic means for returning said circuit controlling means to the circuit closing position and a circuit for controlling the ,energization of said electromagnetic means including switching means operative to'the circuit closing position when said movable member moves to said one posiion.

4. In combination, a device to be operated to a plurality of positions, means for actuating said device from one of said positions to another thereof comprising an electric motor, and means for controlling the energization of said motor comprising two parallel circuits, means controlled by said motor for interrupting said parallel circuits sequentially after actuation of said device to said other position to effect deenergization of said motor, means for returning said device to said one position, and means for completing at least one of said circuits when said device moves to said one position independently of the stopping position of said motor.

5, In combination, a device to be operated to two positions, means for actuating said device from one of said positions to the other comprising an electric motor, and means for controlling the energization of said motor comprising two switches connected in parallel, cam means actuated by said motor for opening said switches sequentially after actuation of said device to said other position to effect deenergization of said 7' motor, means for actuating said device from said other position to said one position, and means i for returning at least one of said switches to the circuit closing position when said device moves to said one position independently of the stopping position of said cam means.

'6. In combination, a circuit breaker comprising a movable circuit controlling member and means for actuating said member to the circuit closing position comprising an electric motor, an energizing circuit for said motor comprising two parallel branches, a switch in each of said branches, cam means actuated by said motor for opening said switches sequentially after movement of said circuit controlling member to the circuit closing position to effect deenergization of said motor, means for actuating said circuit controlling member to the circuit opening position, electromagnetic means for returning said switches to the circuit closing position, and a circuit for controlling the energization of said elec tromagnetic means including a switch operated to the circuit closing position in response-to the movement of said circuit controlling member to the circuit opening position.

7. In combination, a circuit breaker comprising a movable circuit controlling member and means for actuating said member to the circuit closing position comprising an electric motor, a cam shaft arranged to be actuated by said motor, an energizing circuit for said motor comprising two parallel branches, a switch in each of said branches, means associated with said cam shaft for opening said switches sequentially after movement of said circuit controlling member to the circuit closing position to efiect deenergization of said motor, means for retaining said switches in the circuit opening position, means for actuating said circuit controlling member to the circuit opening position, electromagnetic means for returning said switches to the circuit closing position, and a circuit for controlling the energization of said electromagnetic means including a switch operated to the circuit closing position in response to the movement of said circuit controlling member to the circuit opening position.

8. In combination, a movable member, an electric motor for moving said member, a circuit for said motor, parallel connec'ted switches in said circuit, means controlled by said motor for sequentially opening said switches at different points in the path of movement of said member, means for maintaining said switches in the open position independently of the position of said member, and means for closing said switches.

ROBERT W. SMITH. 

